A nice story for a change. George, a 20 pound and 140-year-old lobster once destined for a dinner plate received the gift of life Friday from City Crab and Seafood (a Park Avenue seafood restaurantn New York City.)

“We applaud the folks at City Crab and Seafood for their compassionate decision to allow this noble old-timer to live out his days in freedom and peace,” said Ingrid E. Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA spokesman Michael McGraw said the group asked City Crab to return George to the Atlantic Ocean after a diner saw him at the restaurant, where steamed Maine lobster sells for $27 per pound. George had been caught off Newfoundland, Canada and lived in the tank for about 10 days before his release.

Some scientists estimate lobsters can live to be more than 100 years old. PETA and the restaurant guessed George’s age at about 140, using a rule of thumb based on the creature’s weight.

He is to be released Saturday near Kennebunkport, Maine, in an area where lobster trapping is forbidden.

That is really cool! A big thumbs up to the restaurant for recognizing this lobster should finish out his time in nature!